Bird & Bird

Training Contract

Becoming a trainee at Bird & Bird is the first step to fulfilling your potential and shaping your long-term career. You’ll have responsibility from day one, working for stimulating clients across a range of sectors, in a number of practice areas. However, your relationship with us starts from the moment we make you an offer. We maintain a close relationship with you before starting, so the transition into your formal career is as smooth as possible.

You’ll experience four seats in different practice areas for 6-months each during your Training Contract, giving you a rich learning experience and development opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to experience an international or client secondment to enrich your learning.

Alongside your seat rotations, you’ll take part in a Learning & Development Programme which will provide the basic building blocks for your future development within the business of law. You can also get involved in Corporate Responsibility initiatives; help with Early Career Programmes; join our firm-wide sports teams; and become a member of our networks and socials.

At the end of your two-year Training Contract, you will qualify with the aim of becoming an associate at Bird & Bird.

Applying to Bird & Bird

To become a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird, you can apply through two different routes: Vacation Schemes or Direct Training Contract. There are up to 18 contracts available each year.

Applications to our 2025 Direct Training Contract open on Thursday 15 September 2022 and close on Saturday 31 December at midnight. Applications to our 2023 Vacation Schemes open on Thursday 15 September 2022. Our Spring Vacation Scheme applications close on Friday 16 December, and our Summer Vacation Scheme applications close Saturday 31 December at midnight.

You can apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2025. This means you’ll be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2023.

Vacation Schemes

It’s much more than just work experience. It’s an opportunity to discover your potential and kick-start your career in law, taking you straight to the heart of our global law firm.

Our Vacation Scheme will strengthen your knowledge, law-specific skills and experience of the legal sector. You’ll have an unfiltered look at the way people work in a law firm and the impact of client relationships. As a sector-focused firm, you’ll learn about our clients across a range of sectors in your department. You’ll experience a variety of training, skill sessions, insight talks, and Q&As from a breadth of people at the firm, including our lawyers, Early Careers, Diversity & Inclusion, Risk & Compliance, and IT teams. You’ll be able to network and socialise with colleagues through our socials and events, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture.

It’s both an opportunity for you to showcase your potential as a trainee solicitor and decide whether Bird & Bird is the right firm for you. At the end of the scheme, the top performers will be recruited for a Training Contract.

There are up to 30 positions available across two schemes:

Spring Vacation Scheme
Monday 17 April to Friday 28 April 2022

Summer Vacation Scheme
Monday 19 June to Friday 30 June 2022

Applying to Bird & Bird

Applications to our 2023 Vacation Schemes open on Thursday 15 September 2022. Our Spring Vacation Scheme applications close on Friday 16 December, and our Summer Vacation Scheme applications close Saturday 31 December at midnight.

You can apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2025. This means you’ll be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2023. You must be able to attend the full duration of the Spring or Summer Vacation Scheme.

For our Vacation Scheme and Direct Training Contract, the application process typically includes an online application form, a psychometric test, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation of your received application form. You’ll be notified if your application has been unsuccessful or receive an email regarding the next stage of the application at each stage.

Open Days

Explore our opportunities, learn something new, and meet our lawyers at Bird & Bird.

Our Open Days offer a unique insight into life at an international law firm and the work we do. You’ll experience insight sessions, network with our lawyers, learn application tips, and have the opportunity to ask questions to our expert lawyers and the Early Careers team.

All Degrees Open Day
Tuesday 8 November 2022, 10:00 – 15:00

STEM Open Day
Thursday 10 November 2022, 10:00 – 15:00

Applications to our Open Days open on Thursday 15 September and close on Friday 28 October 2022 at midnight. The application process includes an online application form.

Drop-Ins

Our Drop-In is the chance for you to meet our lawyers, Early Careers team, and fellow aspiring lawyers in-person at our London office. You’ll be welcomed with free sandwiches, hot drinks and snacks, as you learn about our firm, the work we do, and our opportunities available to you. Sign up to our Drop-In from Thursday 15 September to Friday 7 October 2022, limited spaces available.

Drop-In
Thursday 13 October 2022, 12:00 – 14:00

We also host/attend a number of law fairs and events. Check out our website and social media (@twobirdsgrads) for updates throughout the year.

Early Bird Programme & Scholarship

Supporting, developing, and equipping young people with the skills they need to achieve their full career potential.

Our Early Bird Programme is to support, develop and equip young people from low socio-economic backgrounds with the skills they need to achieve their career potential as part of Bird & Bird’s flagship social mobility initiative. There are two entry levels onto the programme: Early Bird Pioneers (Year 10) and Early Bird Scholars (Year 13).

Our Early Bird Scholarship offers a mentoring scheme with our trainees for support and career guidance during your university studies in law; work experience; workshops and sessions from our Early Careers and Diversity & Inclusion teams; and Financial Assistance paid in instalments over your time at university. As an Early Bird Scholar, you’ll be mentored on how to apply for our other early career opportunities, including the Flying Start Programme and Vacation Schemes, with the aim of becoming a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird.

Applications to our Early Bird Scholarship open on Monday 20 March 2023 and close on Friday 28 July 2023 at midnight. The application process includes an online application form and an in-person assessment centre. Our Scholarship is open to all Year 13 students who meet our eligibility criteria.

Our criteria:

• you must be attending a state (non-fee paying) school, sixth form college in the UK; and
• you must be the first generation in your immediate family to attend university; and
• you must be applying to study law or a law-related degree at a UK university (part-time distant learning courses will be considered if circumstances warrant); and
• you should be academically gifted and typically expected to have achieved at least 5 A grades or 5 Level 7 and above in GCSE, including English and Maths.

Flying Start Programme

Fly ahead with our 2-day interactive workshop for first-year university
students, to accelerate your law knowledge and skills.

Our Flying Start Programme is a 2-day experience on Tuesday 11 July to Wednesday 12 July 2023 for those in the early stages of their career. The programme consists of practical skills sessions, interactive group tasks, insightful talks and presentations, networking events, and Q&A discussions. It’s an opportunity for you to explore your interest in the legal industry. You’ll develop lawyer-specific skills and commercial awareness, network with our lawyers, and add valuable experience to your resume.

Applications to our Flying Start Programme open on Monday 2 January 2023 and close on Friday 28 April 2023 at midnight. The application process includes an online application form.

This workshop is for those who can’t yet apply to our Vacation Schemes or Direct Training Contract. You can apply if you are a first-year law undergraduate, or first- or penultimate-year non-law undergraduate student. Please only apply if you can attend both Tuesday 11 July and Wednesday 12 July 2023.

Virtual Experience Programme

Immerse yourself in the world of an international law firm and discover what life is like as a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird.

In partnership with Forage, the Virtual Experience Programme is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the world of an international law firm and discover what life is like as a trainee solicitor. By hosting this opportunity virtually, you’re able to experience life at the firm in your own time and in your own space.

You’ll complete three modules that will encourage you to apply law theory to work situations at Bird & Bird; develop your commercial awareness, skills and knowledge; and practice reviewing, drafting and analysing legal documents for clients.

The programme takes 6-8 hours to complete, and you’ll need a tablet, PC or laptop to access the programme online. You’ll gain real work experience and learn directly from us, which you can use on your resume, during interviews, and in your future work as a lawyer. You’ll also earn a certificate to share with prospective employers and your professional network.

If you want to research more into the firm or practice completing some work, the programme is a great place to start. You can complete the free, self-paced programme online. This programme is open to all.

Campus Ambassador Programme

Develop your skills, expand your law network, and step ahead in applications with exclusive events and learning opportunities.

In partnership with The Lawyer Portal (TLP), we’re offering university students the opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills through a carefully curated 12-month programme.

During your role as a Campus Ambassador, you’ll receive access to exclusive events with us at Bird & Bird; develop your skill set and law knowledge with insight sessions and workshops; learn how to be successful in applications to our early career opportunities; network with our lawyers and fellow Ambassadors to expand your legal network; and engage with aspiring lawyers across your university campus. With your know-how and campus connections, you’ll raise awareness of the wealth of resources that TLP has to offer and the breath of early career opportunities at Bird & Bird. You’ll get involved with leadership and community-building, communication and organisation, and growth and product development.

Applications to our Campus Ambassador Programme close Monday 1 August 2022. You’re eligible to apply if you’re in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or a postgraduate student in the UK. No prior experience in a similar role is necessary.